I have a new hobby. Can you guess? Yup! It’s sewing. I did some simple patchwork recently and it’s addictive. I am not very expert in using sewing machine. Somehow I can’t sew in a straight line. So, at this moment, I just hand sew all the pieces together. One thing bothered me, though. I hate threaded the thread into the needle. It took me sometime to do it. Blame it to my old eyes.
One of my friends did the Lasik surgery, and I would love to do it if I have the money. Speaking of money do you know that you can win $5,000 grand prize from Abbott Medical Optics Inc. just by making video showing the impact of improved vision? Abbott Medical Optics Inc. (AMO) is a global leader in laser vision correction and they want to know how better vision could improve — or has improved — people’s lives.
If you want to join this iLASIK Video Contest, you can choose one from three selected theme:
1. My contacts are getting in the way of my good time
2. My favorite sport or activity would be so much cooler with better vision
3. You should see life after the iLASIK® Procedure
So, hurry up and submit your video.
My New Hobby
Fat Quarter
If you are a quilter, you may already be familiar with this term and the benefits of using fat quarters. However, if you're unfamiliar with quilting, you may not know how much fabric you need when you see "fat quarter" listed in a project's materials list.When you purchase fabric off a bolt, it is generally folded in half with the selvage edges matching. A 1/4 yard cut of fabric is a 9-inch-wide strip cut across the width of the fabric (usually 44 inches wide, for cotton quilting fabrics). A 1/4 yard cut typically measures 9 x 44 inches. A fat quarter of fabric is made by cutting an 18-inch-wide strip across the width of the fabric, and then cutting the strip in half again, but this time along the fold to yield two fat quarter pieces, each 18 x 22 inches.
Depending on what you're making, it might be more advantageous to purchase fat quarters, rather than traditional yardage cuts for your project. Some benefits of fat quarters include:
The ability to cut pieces up to 18 inches long, rather than only 9 inches long
Fat quarters are often packaged together with coordinates from the same fabric line, making it easy to select a group of fabrics that go with each other.
Stay At Home Mom
As a stay at home mom, at some point you feel bored, lonely, unappreciated and stressed. Staying at home all day and taking care of couple of toddler like me is bound to make you go insane at some point and after you've finished your daily chores, you felt exhausted and clueless as to what to do next. Below are some suggestion to make you feel accomplished once again.
Make Friends
Go to a park where you may find other stay at home moms and their kids. Start a conversation. Discuss your daily routines, trial and tribulations that are going on in your lives and your problems. This way you will have someone to talk to whenever you need them.
Join A Bookclub
Go to your local library, cafe, or research online where to find local bookclubs. Go to one of their meetings. You're sure to find it enlightening, relaxing, and enjoying. This will give you something to do after your daily chores and also when you're at home with the family and everyone's resting.
Get Organized
Get yourself couple of pocket calendars. They have wide selection with attractive price. List all the things you want to do. Cross out when you have done them. You will get a sense of accomplishment.
Start A Playgroup
Post ads in your local paper and also online. You can also chat with your friends from the park about bringing their kids over for a few playdates. You would be in charge of everything. This way you'll have your sense of accomplishment back because you have once again proven that you can organize more than just a refrigerator.
Try them out and you will see the result soon!
Ultimate Home Accessories
Making new throw pillows is an easy and inexpensive way to give your decorating scheme a fresh updated look. I use lots of pillows throughout my home and find them to be one of the best home accessories for the following reasons:
Homes are full of hard building materials, such as wood, stone, brick and tile. They also have many hard architectural features, such as windows, doors, cabinets and fireplaces. In addition, many furniture pieces in our homes are hard and boxy. Because pillows are made of fabric and have a soft appearance, they help to break up the hard elements and give your home a cozy feel.
Pillows are a great place to repeat colors found elsewhere in the room. Repeating colors can help to unify a color scheme and create eye movement throughout the space.
Pillows can lessen the impact of a very large furniture item in a room. For example, a large sofa or bed could seem overpowering for a particular space. By breaking up the large item with a scattering of throw pillows you can help keep eye movement flowing throughout the room, and prevent a large piece of furniture from becoming too dominant.
When the pillow covering becomes worn out, you can replace the outer pillow cover only and reuse the old pillow form, making it inexpensive to freshen up your decor.
To make a basic pillow cover, follow the steps below:
- Measure the pillow form in both directions and cut two pieces of fabric 1 inch larger than the form in each direction to allow for 1/2 inch seam allowances all around. For example, for a 12 x 16 inch pillow form, cut two rectangles of fabric 13 x 17 inches.
- Pin the fabric rectangles right sides together and stitch 1/2 inch from the raw edges all around, leaving an opening on one side for turning and inserting the pillow form.
- Trim the seam allowances to 1/4 inch all around and clip across the corners. Turn the pillow cover right side out and press.
- Insert the pillow form and slipstitch the opening closed.
Time for Vacation
I was only 15 years old when my parents brought me and my brother (he was only 7 years old then) to Hong Kong for vacation. It was our first trip overseas. I was very exciting as I had heard about Hong Kong many times from books and TV. It was an exciting trip and I really had a wonderful time there. My husband, on the other hand, has never been to Hong Kong before, so probably Taiwan is our next holiday trip. The next question is: should we bring the children? I guess it depends whether my in laws are willing to take care my children. If they don’t then we have to bring them along. Since you also can find Disneyland in Hong Kong, I guess our children will have a great time.
When I was surfing in the internet to get good deal for our accommodation, I came across this fantastic deal to stay in Accor’s Hotels (Sofitel, Pullman, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, All Seasons and Ibis hotels). Hotel rates in 27 cities across 10 countries in Asia Pacific are being reduced in Accor Hotels 3-Day Super Sale Asia Pacific promotion. Travelers will be able to take advantage of savings when they book on-line between 27 - 30 October 2009. Over one million room nights will be on sale, with rates starting as low as US$30 per night. Stay period Dec 2009 till Apr 2010. I think it’s a good deal.
Now, I have to find the best deal on the air ticket.
Potty Training
It seems like just yesterday that I changed my toddler's first diaper, and now I am wondering if it's time to start potty training. There's no magic age at which children are ready to start learning how to use the potty, but some develop the necessary physical and cognitive skills between 18 and 24 months of age. Many parents don't start potty training until their children are 2 1/2 to 3 years old, when daytime bladder control has become more reliable. And some children aren't interested in potty training until they're closer to 3, or even 4.
Use the checklist below to measure your toddler's progress toward readiness, and keep in mind that starting before your child is truly ready doesn't mean you'll finish sooner — it's more likely that the process will just end up taking longer.
You don't have to wait until you've checked off every item to start training. Just look for a general trend toward independence and an understanding of what it means to go to the bathroom like a grown-up.
Physical signs
Is coordinated enough to walk, and even run, steadily.
Urinates a fair amount at one time.
Has regular, well-formed bowel movements at relatively predictable times.
Has "dry" periods of at least three or four hours, which shows that his bladder muscles are developed enough to hold urine.
Behavioral signs
Can sit down quietly in one position for two to five minutes.
Can pull his pants up and down.
Dislikes the feeling of wearing a wet or dirty diaper.
Shows interest in others' bathroom habits (wants to watch you go to the bathroom or wear underwear).
Gives a physical or verbal sign when he's having a bowel movement such as grunting, squatting, or telling you.
Demonstrates a desire for independence.
Takes pride in his accomplishments.
Isn't resistant to learning to use the toilet.
Is in a generally cooperative stage, not a negative or contrary one.
Cognitive signs
Can follow simple instructions, such as "go get the toy."
Understands the value of putting things where they belong.
Has words for urine and stool.
Understands the physical signals that mean he has to go and can tell you before it happens or even hold it until he has time to get to the potty.
TV Can Be Good For Children
Where kids are concerned, TV and movies get a bad rap, but with healthy viewing habits and parental supervision, “screen time” can be a positive experience for children. For one thing TV can help kids learn about a variety of subjects. If there’s a subject your child enjoys, more likely than not, there is a TV show, movie, or educational DVD that explores the subject in detail. You might be even be surprised to find out how many kids watch and love educational shows aimed at adults. Most kids are not able to visit the rain forest or see a giraffe in the wild, but many have seen these things on TV. Thankfully, educationally minded producers have given us many shows and movies that allow viewers to see amazing footage of nature, animals, society, and other peoples. Kids and adults alike can learn from this type of media and gain a greater appreciation for our world and the animals and other people who inhabit it.
Talking about TV programs, you may not know it, but if you have Charter digital, you have On Demand and it’s free to access. Your kids probably don’t understand or have the patience for TV schedules. When they want their Little Einstein or WorldWord, they want it right then. This On Demand also helps me to arrange TV time for my children so it won’t collide with their nap time.
You can learn more at charter.net/ondemand or get updates and fun extras on Charter’s Facebook page.
How do I answer my toddler's questions about genitals?
As parents, we can get anxious when children ask about anything remotely sexual. But your child's curiosity about genitals is no different than her questions about eyes, ears, feet, noses, and other less private parts. And genitals are pretty interesting, as body parts go. Her questions are only natural — after all, she has to learn about private parts from someone, and it's best for that someone to be you.
How should you respond? Be direct, and stay matter-of-fact. Follow the rule of thumb: "Is this how I would tell her about elbows or knees?" Give her the anatomically correct name for the body part and avoid baby talk — using funny or silly words will just confuse her and, if anything, makes the discussion a bigger deal. If she asks what they're for, you can say that genitals are for going to the bathroom. If you feel comfortable mentioning that they're also used for making babies, that's okay, too. She may not get it, but a child this age has no understanding of sex and won't make that connection.
She may also ask why Daddy's or her brother's genitals are different from hers. Point out that each person is unique: Her best friend's eyes are blue while hers are brown, and Grandma's nose is smaller than Grandpa's. In the same vein, boys' private parts look different from girls'. Keep it simple, and if you don't act embarrassed, she won't be, either.
Obamanomics
The US election has passed quite sometime ago, but the buzz of how Obama won the election is still around. People are still talking about how he won the election.
Why did Obama win the presidency campaign? Is he better than the other candidate? Or is he simply the lucky one? It is very interesting to learn that Obama actually focused on utilizing the viral and democratic nature of the web. We all know that the internet is a system that proves to be both a powerful tool and is inexpensive too. Obama focused on cheap yet effective resources, which mobilize huge fan bases that would generate buzz in their spare time for free. Thus the result is a very powerful word-of-mouth campaign.
There’s even a report called Obamanomics that studies this phenomenon. The whole exercise finally ended in a landslide victory for him even though he was up against the war-hero and experienced statesman John McCain.
If you are interested to read more details about obamanomics and want to learn something from it, please feel free to click on the link and read on!
After this phenomenon, it is interesting to see how the next USA presidential candidates will use the web or internet for the next election.
Hard Rock Hotel Penang
Hard Rock International and Hotel Properties Limited (HPL) are proud to announce the opening of the newest members of the Hard Rock family: Hard Rock Hotel Penang and Hard Rock Cafe Penang. Located in Malaysia, within one of Asia’s most popular island destinations, Hard Rock is infusing new excitement and energy into the market, underscoring the brand’s strategy to accelerate expansion worldwide.
Hard Rock Hotel Penang is situated on five acres along the famous beaches of Batu Ferringhi, on the northern coast of Penang. The six-story Hard Rock Hotel Penang recently completed a multi-million dollar renovation bringing together superb service, unparalleled amenities and well-appointed accommodations with a rock ’n’ roll edge. The renovation added additional rooms and suites, a full-service luxury spa and the highly anticipated Hard Rock Cafe Penang.
The newest hotel in the Hard Rock portfolio holds 233 rooms and 17 suites. All Hillview Deluxe standard guest rooms have 312 square-feet of living space, while the Seaview Studio Suites expand to 570 square-feet. Most of the guest rooms offer stunning beach views, and the ground floor rooms facing the swimming pool feature spectacular private swim-up patios with wood trellis covers. Hard Rock Hotel Penang boasts the only club floor in Batu Ferringhi, known as “Kings Club,” located on the top floor of the property. The Kings Club offers a private lounge with stunning sea views and personalized concierge service.
Bringing one of Hard Rock Hotel’s trademark experiences to Malaysia, the hotel introduces an oversized free-form pool -- the largest swimming pool in Penang -- totaling 26,000 square feet, equipped with sand islands and lush poolside cabanas. The resort also offers a main ballroom and three function rooms for a total of 6,650 square-feet for private events, weddings, meetings, and exhibitions.
The opening of Hard Rock Hotel Penang includes the famous Hard Rock Cafe Penang. Sure to contend as one of the city’s premier dining and entertainment destinations, the 3,175 square-feet cafe features a 140-seat restaurant, live concert venue and a Rock Shop complete with Hard Rock’s limited-edition merchandise. The cafe will be adorned with pieces from Hard Rock’s world-famous memorabilia collection, including items representing both contemporary stars and rock legends, such as Keith Richards, Stevie Nicks, Madonna and many more. Additional key memorabilia items on display include a grey felt Fedora hat worn by Prince when all live tracks for his smash hit “Purple Rain” were recorded, custom-made leather pants and Cruefest t-shirt worn by Vince Neil of Motley Crue on the “Cruefest” Tour, and an outfit by “Junker Designs” worn by Rob Nicholson of Rob Zombie fame during the 2005 OZZFEST Tour.
For more than 38 years, Hard Rock Cafe has offered guests classic American fare in a rock ‘n’ roll atmosphere. Hard Rock Cafe Penang features a hardwood smoker, which uses the very best Hickory wood chips to slowly cook Hard Rock’s classic ribs and chicken to perfection. Hard Rock’s Legendary Experience menu is just that – legendary – offering six different mouth-watering Legendary Burgers made from Certified Angus Beef. In addition to its food, Hard Rock offers unmatched specialty drinks from its award-winning bar menu, from Hurricanes and Margaritas, to its Alternative Rock non-alcoholic beverage menu featuring favorites like Wildberry Smoothies and Crushed Velvet “martinis.”
The Rock Shop offers an exclusive line of rock inspired items, including Hard Rock’s famous Classic and City T-shirts, as well as highly coveted accessories and pins, which reflect the spirit of the city and the authenticity of Hard Rock’s merchandise. Hard Rock Cafe Penang’s limited-edition and city-specific merchandise is now available on-site.
High School Reunion
I had a high school reunion last week, but unfortunately I could not attend it as I am living in another country now with 2 young children to care for and believe me travelling with 2 children is not easy (not to mention paying for the extra flight tickets).
Although I could not attend the reunion but I was still able to look at the photos of the event in the internet (how I love internet). It was fun to see all the familiar faces of my high school colleagues. Some are fatter and older (especially the men). However, most of the ladies haven’t changed much over the years. I guess, all that skin care does work.
Anyway, I saw the current pictures of some of my high school teachers also that attended the reunion. I was happy to see that my favorite teacher was there. He was my inspiration to become a better person. He was a dedicated teacher and always had time for all of us whenever we had questions.
I believe one way or another, we all had a teacher or a mentor that touched our lives and inspired us to become a better person. If you had one and have lost contact with him or her, you can try to find him or her using MyLife.
Top 5 things doctors wish you'd do for your toddler
1. Don't turn the car seat around on your child's first birthday
Many parents eagerly do, since some kids like the car better once they're facing forward and it's easier to see the child that way. But it's safer to hold off. Studies show it's safer for kids all the way up to 4 years old to sit rear-facing, thus it's better to keep your toddlers facing backward until they outgrow the height and weight limits of their convertible car seat (meaning one designed to face either backward or forward), usually sometime around 15 to 18 months.
2. Know this life-saving number
Make sure everyone who cares for your toddler knows this number: 1-800-222-1222 (for US only).
That's the nationwide number for Poison Control, and once you have a mobile, curious toddler, it's important to display it someplace prominent. Everyone caring for your child should have easy access to this number, including grandparents and babysitters. Program it into your cell phone, too, in case your toddler swallows something while you're out of the house.
3. Go easy on the juice
Many kids are getting way too much of it. It's leading to weight problems and cavities, among other nutrition and health issues.
Your toddler doesn't necessarily need juice at all, but if you do offer it, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 4 to 6 ounces a day for kids age 1 to 6 so it doesn't replace other foods. A lot of toddlers start to fill up on liquids – they drink mostly milk or juice – and they have no appetite for meals. To prevent tooth decay, don't let your toddler wander around with a sippy cup of juice for too long, and don't serve it at bedtime.
4. Stay strong during food battles
Just continue offering healthy foods rather than just catering to your child's preferences. Food jags are normal, but that doesn't mean you should cave in and start serving, say, only white foods. If kids are hungry, they'll eventually eat at least some of what you serve. And remember, at this age, one day they'll love zucchini and one day they won't. Just because they reject it once doesn't mean they won't eat it the next time.
5. Drink a glass of milk
What is Torrent?
The other day, somebody ask me about torrent. I have no idea what is that, so I need to look up and search it in the internet. It turned out that Torrent is the most popular way of downloading large files, including movies and games. Of course you have to remember the legality of downloading. Downloading with a torrent is advantageous especially when downloading files, which are momentarily very popular and whitch lots of people are downloading. Because the more people download the file, the higher speed for everyone.
One of the new torrents site is called QueenTorrent.com.
Benefits of this site:
a) Simple interface
b) Powerful search engine
c) Opportunity to download lots of games, music, films for free in to time without the fear of downloading empty and not complete file.
d) Huge regularly updated torrent files base. Every day bots cover thousands of sites with torrent files and add them to the database.
You can go and check it out yourself!
How to protect your family from swine flu
•Get yourself and your children vaccinated as soon as a vaccine becomes available. It takes a while for immunity to develop after you get the vaccine.
•Wash your hands and your children’s hands frequently, including immediately before eating, after sneezing, and after going to the bathroom. Use proper hand-washing techniques, rubbing both sides of your soapy hands for at least 15 seconds and rinsing with plenty of water. When soap and water aren’t available, use alcohol-based gel sanitizers that contain at least 60 percent alcohol or disposable hand wipes.
•Don't cough or sneeze into your bare hands. That puts the virus is all over your hands, where it can easily spread to others. Instead, cover your mouth with your arm and cough or sneeze into your sleeve or cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue and throw it away after using. (Many experts say the sleeve method is better than using a tissue, because handling a tissue can contaminate your hands and spread illness.) If you inadvertently use your bare hands, wash them right away.
•Don't touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. You may think your hands are clean, but if your hands have touched a door knob, a cup, a refrigerator handle or any other item that someone else has touched with a virus-covered hand, your hands carry the virus and can infect you.
•Viruses and bacteria can live two to eight hours on hard surfaces. Wipe down surfaces at home such as toys, bedside tables, doorknobs, telephones, and bathroom and kitchen counters with a disinfectant, following directions on the label.
•Keep your children at least 6 feet away from people who are sick, including anyone in your household who is sick. Know the symptoms of swine flu and seek medical care if illness is severe. If you catch it early, antiviral medicines may help.
Motion Sickness
Do you suffer from motion sickness? I do. So is my eldest daughter. I don’t know yet whether my youngest also got it. Motion sickness or kinetosis, also known as Travel Sickness, is a condition in which a disagreement exists between visually perceived movement and the vestibular system's sense of movement. Depending on the cause it can also be referred to as seasickness, car sickness, simulation sickness, airsickness, or space sickness. One common suggestion is to simply look out of the window of the moving vehicle and to gaze toward the horizon in the direction of travel. This helps to re-orient the inner sense of balance by providing a visual reaffirmation of motion.
I normally suffer from motion sickness when I am a passanger, esspecially if I sit on the back. I am totally OK if I am the one who drive.
Speaking of car, you can find your next car, whether new or used cars, whether to finance, pay cash or lease from www.BuyYourCar.co.uk.
Games
For some people, playing games is a way to relax their mind, to keep the stress down and to keep their mind focused. Playing games is like taking a break from the real world plus all its problems and having a short vacation in a virtual world.
My husband likes to play games too. He could spend the whole night played games until forgot to sleep (although he still remembered to eat!). He tried to persuade me to play, but somehow playing games does not interest me at all. I have different hobby.
Speaking of games, there is a new games released called “heroes of newerth”. It is a new DOTA-clone game which is currently in beta.
Harley Davidson
A lot of people think that Harley Davidson is a cool motorbike, although a long time ago the image of the person who rides Harley is not really good. However, thanks to marketing campaign of Harley, they somewhat manage to change the image of Harley. Now, owning a Harley is like owning a piece of art. Harley is all about the image and the culture, and not at all about performance, handling, value, quality, or actual riding. In fact Harley is now become status symbol.
Anyway, if you are one of those people who own harley and looking for Harley parts and accessories to fully customize your ride, you'll find the perfect way to show your individual style at CruiserCustomizing.com.
Your Own Domain? Why Not!
Time passed so fast. In just a blink of the eyes, I have been blogging for 2 years already. If you notice, I rarely update my blog, nowadays. Only once in a while and not as often as last time. The reason is because since the economic slow down, not much opportunity to do product review anymore. I tried to submit my blog to other company, but since my blog have big fat zero rank, they rejected my blog. Some of you probably said that the reason I have zero page rank is because I do paid review. It’s not a secret that google doesn’t like blog with that kind of posts.
I hear that if you have your own domain, you can boost up your rank. I am thinking of buying my own domain if that is true, so I can get more opportunities to earn more money. Many hosting providers claim to be the best in one way or another, but not all hosts can be the best! If you have a hard time choosing a good hosting provider, you should head your way to this web hosting review site.
Don’t forget to look at their blog. You can find a lot of interesting informations there.
Say It Again and Again
Up to today my 14-month-old toddler still hasn't talk yet. I heard that Rhymes, jingles, and silly songs are big hits with toddlers. If your 14-month-old is already speaking several words, encourage her willingness to repeat after you by singing silly or repetitive songs, such as "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." As she becomes familiar with the refrains she'll chime in one word at a time and before you know it she'll be singing the whole song right along with you.
If your 14-month-old isn't speaking many words at this point, you can help her with the other two elements of language acquisition. When talking to your child, vary your tone, facial expressions, and hand gestures, all of which will help her understand the meanings of your words. Maintain eye contact when you talk to her so she learns to listen to you. And don't rush her when she is trying to use words — listen patiently and look her in the eye.
Holiday With Toddler?
My parents started to bring me and my brother (younger brother) to go overseas for holiday when my younger brother was 7 years old. My mom always told me that bringing a child younger than 7 years old is a waste of money. They would not remember anything anyway. I think my mother is correct. Besides, bringing toddler for holiday is troublesome. You can not enjoy the trip because you have to take care of them since toddler still can not take care themselves well. Since my youngest daughter is still 1 year plus, I don’t think I have a plan to go for holiday with them soon. I have to wait for another 6 years to bring them for holiday.
Anyway, if you want to go somewhere for holiday (or for business trip) and looking for hotel, you can always use this world's no. 1 hotel search engine, www.HotelsCombined.com. They will donate to a charity every time someone helps them spread the word! This way, they can then benefit from word of mouth (or mouse in this case) whilst at the same time being able to donate what they normally would have had to spend on advertising.
There are 3 options to Spread The Word For Charity :
1. They will give $20 for a blog mention
2. They will give $10 for a tweet
3. They will give $5 for becoming a fan of our Facebook page.
My Baby is 14 Month Old
Observe a group of 14-month-olds at the park and you'll note that they're basically loners. Socializing isn't really toddlers' thing, and at this age a child is unlikely to do anything more than engage in parallel play, during which he/she and his/her companions play side by side but don't interact — unless it's to grab whatever object another child is playing with. While this may be frustrating for you, it's completely normal behavior. At this age a child doesn't think of his/her playmates as friends, or even people; they're objects. Since a 14-month-old is very much the center of his/her own universe, he/she thinks other children can be pushed, pulled, and poked the way a toy can. The only thing that really matters — to her/him — is what she/he wants. It's not selfishness — it's just the way everyone sees the world at this age.
Parent Connect
When I was just a kid, I lived with my grandparents during the day and went home with my parents at night when they came back from work. My grandparents lived in a small village where everybody knew everybody elses. People in small village have a sense of familiarity or kinship. Everyone knows each other. If somebody got problem, every body elses knew about it. If somebody got married or having birthday party the whole village will help and otomatically invited. I had a good memory during then, since I could play the whole day with other kids as well and attended so many activities and parties.
Now, I live in a big city, where there is so many people it can become very lonely and impersonal and sometimes you don’t even know your neighbor. However, recently I found a nifty little widget called Parrent Connect. By installing the Parents Connect widget at the sidebar of your blog or website, you can now view all the upcoming events and activities in your area.
Besides that, there is a contest currently running at ParentsConnect.com. Install the widget on you page and you might win $1000 if your widget gets the most views. That’s killing 2 birds with one stone. Quick install the widget now!
Gifts for 1-Year-Olds
A baby's first birthday calls for a celebration. And while 1-year-olds are likely to be as thrilled by the ribbons and wrapping paper on their gift as they are with the present itself, it's fun to pick something out — whether it's a silver keepsake (such as a cup or spoon) or the perfect toy for this age.
BLOCKS Stack and smash fun
Nothing encourages a child's innate creativity (not to mention his fine and gross motor skills) like classic wooden building blocks. Pick up a plastic bin and fill it with blocks of all shapes, sizes, and colors. (Remember to keep an eye out for sharp corners and small shapes that can be dangerous for young children.) As the toddling recipient discovers the joy of building towers as tall as he is — and then knocking them down — your gift will be an instant favorite.
PUSH TOYS
A little "push" is all she needsAnother great choice for the momentous first birthday is a push toy, one the baby can use to help hone her new walking skills. Choose from perennial favorites such as a child-sized grocery cart or the vacuum-like toy that "pops" when a child rolls it around. Some push toys come equipped with an extra activity tray, but when it comes down to it, anything she can propel with her own two feet is a winner in this category.
TOY PHONE 1-800-CALL-BABY
Most 1-year-olds will delight in having their own toy phone, especially since the one Mom and Dad use is probably off limits. While the telephone you played with as a child probably featured a rotary dial and a tinny "ding" when you hung up, today's models sport touchtone buttons and beep like the real thing. When the baby picks up his phone, grab yours as well and have a conversation; he may not be saying more than a few words just yet, but he'll love it anyway.
NESTING TOYS
Seeing how things fit togetherFor many 1-year-olds, nothing's more fascinating than taking a bunch of empty containers and stacking them so they nestle one inside the other. Nesting toys help teach kids spatial relations, and many today combine sturdy construction with stimulating colors and patterns. Of course, most children will be equally fascinated by a spare set of measuring cups, but for a birthday it's nice to splurge.
FEEDING SUPPLIES Set a place for the baby
Now that their diets include solids and finger food as well as breast milk and formula, 1-year-olds are ready for plates, bowls, cups, spoons, and other feeding paraphernalia. Choose a set that features a favorite cartoon character like Winnie the Pooh or one from the baby's favorite book (Peter Rabbit springs to mind). Look for baby-safe silverware and crash-friendly plastic plates, cups, and bowls — all will be making several trips between the highchair tray and the floor. For a nice touch, bundle several items together in a gift basket.
SHAPE SORTERS Trial and error helps him learn
Mastering the challenge of matching a round peg with the circular hole is a big accomplishment for toddlers. Toys that encourage them to match and sort shapes help them develop essential problem-solving skills. Even better, they're tons of fun. Choose from classic wooden "peg in the hole" toys and soft, squishy models with bold black-and-white patterns; either way, the 1-year-old recipient will be happy.
NOISEMAKER TOYS The louder the better...
Toddlers love making noise, period. It gets them attention and it lets them make a less-than-subtle impact on the world around them. So if you want to delight a 1-year-old, give her a toy that rattles, clangs, beeps, or plays music. Several high-tech options are available these days, but you can always go the low-tech route instead — give her a tambourine or a couple of metal pots and a wooden spoon, and she'll be on cloud nine.
SAVINGS BOND /STOCKS A nest egg for the little one
When it comes right down to it, you just can't go wrong with money. Investing in a savings bond or buying a few shares of stock for a child now can mean she'll have a tidy little nest egg when she's older. Consider making it an annual (or semi-annual) birthday gift — she and her parents will appreciate the gift even more when it comes time to pay for college.
BATH TOYS Playthings that make a splash
By the time a baby is a year old, it's high time to turn bath time into fun time (or even zoo time!). Transform any toddler's tub into a pool of delights with a basket full of water-friendly bath toys. Stock up on everything from hippo bath mitts and soap fish to cheerful terrycloth animals and the requisite rubber ducky. As she gets older, her bath time friends will be an outlet for pretend play and other imagination-driven adventures.
BOOKS There's nothing like a good read
Kids can never have too many books, and birthdays are a great time to add to a toddler's library. The 1-year-old on your list is likely to get a kick out of titles such as Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?, by Dr. Seuss, and Noah's Ark, by Lucy Cousins. In general, you should still focus on getting board books with big bright pictures, which will stimulate the child's eyes and hold up under vigorous "reading."
Tactical Pants for Fishing
My husband loves to go deep sea fishing. Normally he and his friend will rent a boat to go deep sea fishing. Whenever he goes fishing, besides bringing all of his fishing rods and fishing gadgets, he always makes sure that he wears suitable clothes. His favorite is to wear 5.11 tactical pants, because he says that it is lightweight, but surprisingly durable and comfortable. The strategic design of cargo pockets in the pants, allow him to store all kinds of fishing gadgets.
If you are thinking to buy your own tactical pants, you can buy it online at CHIEF.CHIEF has outfitted the Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement and Surveying industries since 1977.
Obesity
Do you know that about one in three American adults is considered to be obese? Obesity, in simple terms, is having a high proportion of body fat. The human body can handle carrying some extra fat, but beyond a certain point, body fat can begin to interfere with your health. For this reason, obesity is more than a cosmetic concern. Obesity puts you at greater risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes and many other serious health problems. If you want to reduce your weight, you can consider having a Lap-Band surgery. JourneyLite surgical center is designed specifically with your needs in mind with an experienced lap band doctor that will guide you through every step of your journey.
Choosing Used Car
The first rule when choosing a used car, always check if the car has been in a serious collision. A car that has previously been in a serious collision can be dangerous, especially if its suspension and/or steering have been damaged. The reason is because not all auto body shops are experts in collision repair.
If you are looking for auto body expert, auto body anaheim is an expert in the field of auto body repair or restoring collision damaged vehicles to pre-accident condition. The auto body shop that you will find associated with this website are scrutinized and measured, and they must conform to levels of performance that less than 1% of collision repairers can conform to.
3 Questions About: The 1-Year Checkup
What can I expect at my child's 1-year checkup?
Expect the doctor to weigh and measure your child, check his eyesight and hearing, give him a head-to-toe, front-to-back physical exam, and vaccinate him. She'll also ask you questions about your child's overall health and nutrition and his physical and cognitive development, and give you some feedback based on your answers and her observations. She may also check your child's hemoglobin level (to look for anemia) and lead level (if there's a risk of environmental lead exposure), if these haven't been checked already.
How can I prepare?
Decide ahead of time whether you want your toddler to get the varicella vaccine (to prevent chicken pox) and the hepatitis A vaccine, both of which are optional but recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Be ready to answer questions about your child's sleeping, eating, teething, motor skills, communication skills, social skills, vision, and hearing. It also helps to bring a list of any questions you'd like to ask the doctor — and your child's immunization record if you have one, so that it can be updated.
What questions should I ask?
Consider asking about whether you should give your child vitamins or supplements and about treating health problems that may come up (like colds or injuries). Ask about any worries you may have about your toddler's health, development, or behavior, and about how to stimulate his development.
Finally, ask about what you can expect in the coming months.
My Baby is 1 Year Old
Though at this point my youngest daughter’s vocabulary probably consists of only a couple of words, she can babble in what sounds like short sentences, complete with vocal inflections. It's almost as if she's speaking a foreign language.
She is also able to respond to simple questions and commands, like “where is your teeth?” or “How is the bird fly?” She also understands “No”. She will stop touching something when I said “No” to her, but she will complain a lot.
My only complain is that she still can not call me “Mama”. Well, I am not worried as each child is different. The most important is that she is healthy.
Speaking about health, if you are currently pregnant take a look at cryo-cell International. For more than a decade, Cryo-Cell Cord Blood Bank has been providing families a wonderful opportunity to cryogenically preserve their newborn's umbilical cord blood stem cells in a safe and secure environment. This service is called U-Cord, and it's an easy, painless way to help protect your family's future health.
Stem cells from umbilical cord blood are known to treat over 75 diseases, and have been used in over 10,000 transplants worldwide. In addition to the value of these stem cells today, research is ongoing for a number of potential medical miracles in the future.
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Helpful Shortcuts
Here are a handful of parent-tested ideas to make life easier:
Create your own ready-to-go meals and snacks.
Fill a set of plastic bowls (with lids) or plastic snack bags with individual servings of your child's favorite finger foods so you'll have them at the ready when you need them for meals and outings.
Equip your car.
Keep a supply of nonperishable drinks and snacks, diapers, and other necessities in your car so you don't have to spend time gathering things when you want to leave the house. Some moms keep a second diaper bag in the car for this purpose.
Go high tech.
Pay bills, do your banking, and even shop for groceries online.
Soak before you wash.
Fill your sink or a bucket with soapy water and place dirty dishes, bottles, and other cooking and eating items in there. When you get around to them, they'll be much easier to clean.
Invest in housekeeping supplies.
Consider splurging on cleaning and laundry supplies that may cost more but will save you time or energy. Keep organized and clutter-free by using a good system of shelves, baskets, and other containers.
Watch Your Favorite TV Show Online
I always wanted to watch “Jon & Kate Plus 8”, but I always could not make it. Now, I can watch it online on my laptop, thanks to Spreety TV Online : Watch TV Shows Online Free. The Spreety site is all about the legal places to watch TV online, including news, sports, and movies. The site is 5,000 pages deep, and has many genre pages (i.e. home & garden, comedy, sports, westerns, etc.), classic TV pages (1950s, 1960s), pages about movies, most popular online TV, etc.
Got Entrepreneurial Spirit?
You aren't alone. In fact many people told me that they hope to start their own business one day. But it takes more than a good idea and a desire to be your own boss to launch a successful venture. You need to do your homework and do some market survey to make sure that your business is visible to do or not.
Let’s say that you decided to go ahead and do it, what is next?
Though most do not know it, the consumer is the most important aspect of a business transaction. The good news is that you can purchase your marketing data and mailing list from B2b Marketing. Their National Consumer file is one of the most comprehensive, with compiled lists and response lists. This multi-sourced file holds an average of 135 million records, which means you are sure to find your target consumers. They use both traditional and non-traditional selectors, from demographic lists to psychographic lists. And like our other resources, the list is updated on a quarterly basis and processed via the National Change of Address (NCOA), Delivery Sequence File (DSF), and Locatable Address Conversion Service (LACS). To further ensure better success, They filter this list though suppression files so as to eliminate consumers or telephone numbers as appropriate; DMA do-not-mail and do-not call lists. This way you are only given interested and eager customers.
My Watch
All my life, I only owned 3 watches. The first watch I had was given by my parents when I was only 12 years old. I wore that watch until I was 22 years old. At this moment I wear expensive branded watch that my parent gave me on my graduation day. It’s not Rolex, but someday, when I have enough money, probably I will buy one.
Rolex has been the pre-eminent symbol of performance and prestige for over a century. It’s one of the watches that is considered by many men and women as a status symbol.
I come across this site called Best of Time (www.bestoftime.com). This site sells brand new and pre-owned Rolex watches with brand new genuine Rolex boxes. Best of Time is proud members of BBB, Better Business Bureau and hold the highest form of recognition. They are an official accredited business by BBB, Better Business Bureau with an exceptional A+ rating the highest possible rating a business can get! All of their Rolex watches are 100% genuine certified & authentic with a 3 year warranty and free fedex shipping.
They claim that they offer genuine Rolex watches at substantial discounts to the manufacturer's suggested retail price. Because they are an independent dealer of new and pre-owned Rolex watches, they are able to avoid manufacturer's pricing controls and forward greater discounts to their customers.
Suitable Job for Stay-At-Home Mom
As you all probably know by now that although I stay at home and take care of my children, I also have a full job. Thanks to the internet that make it possible. If not because of the wonder of the internet, I don’t think this is possible. If you are also like me (stay at home mom) and wondering what kind of job that is suitable for us, you can take a look at Career Advice and Development. It is said that the jobs that suitable for stay-at-home mom are freelance writers or editors, or to sell items on eBay from home, run a day care out of their home or becoming an Avon or Mary Kay representative. If you have other questions related to job, click on the link and check it out yourself.
How to Handle Public Tantrums
The best thing you can do is stay calm. Unlike that kicking, screaming child in your shopping cart, you have the ability to control your emotions and restore the peace.
You can't bring your toddler to his senses by raising your voice or making threats. Getting mad will only escalate his emotions. You don't want to cave in, either. If your child is screaming because you passed up the candy aisle, don't make a U-turn just to calm him down.
Instead, tell him firmly that he has to stop throwing a fit. If he keeps it up, it's time to use your most potent weapon: the exit door. Even if you're in the middle of a big shopping trip, you can always whisk your child out of the store. Children like to shop, and there's a good chance he'll calm down once he understands the consequences. If he continues throwing a fit, take him home, if possible. The shopping can probably wait.
Keep in mind that children are more likely to lose their tempers when they're hungry or tired. If you're about to embark on a marathon shopping trip, try to make sure your child is tanked up and well-rested. It's also a good idea to establish the ground rules before you reach the store. If he's likely to lobby for a new toy, you can explain ahead of time that you're only there to buy groceries.
Frustration is also a big tantrum-producer. If you know your child is going to insist on visiting the pet store when you go to the mall, make sure you have time to do it or think twice about the trip. Thinking through his probable reactions, the consequences, and the alternatives isn't really "giving in" to him, it's being a wise parent.
Because he's out of control, a tantrum can be scary for a child. Once it subsides, give your toddler hugs and reassurance. It's fine to acknowledge his feelings. You might try to make leaving less painful by offering to read a favorite story when you get home.
Keep in mind that your child's tantrum is nobody's business but yours. Your toddler will have tantrums, and some of them are bound to happen in public. It doesn't mean you're a bad parent, only that you're the parent of a toddler.
If you handle the situation with calm and grace, expect to see a lot of knowing glances and sympathetic smiles. Regardless of any looks you get, remember that your child doesn't understand your embarrassment. Public tantrums aren't meant to humiliate parents, so you should treat your child the same way as if the tantrum happened at home.
TV-Watching Guidelines for Toddlers
The best way to handle how much television and video your toddler watches is to think of them as refined sugar: You want your child to enjoy this seductive stuff without consuming too much. So you'll need to stay on top of the time your toddler spends in front of the television. The average American child watches three to four hours a day, despite recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics that children should watch no more than an hour or two a day, and that children under 2 should watch no television at all.
Starting out tough from day one is the key to keeping viewing time under control. It's a lot easier to relax your standards later than it is to wean an 18-month-old from a three-times-a-day Dora or Blue's Clues habit.
Here are tips on how to use television as a learning tool:
Limit the amount of TV your toddler watches
Watch programs, not television
Choose calm, quiet programs
Watch with your toddler
Help your toddler watch with a critical eye
Extend the show's content with activities or books
Property
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As a full-service management firm, they offer Tenant Placement, Credit and Criminal Backround Screening, Regular Property Inspections, Accounting, Monthly Financial Reporting to Owners, Maintenance Services, Collections and also Evictions.
If you are interested to find out more about Real Property Management services, you can hop to their site or contact a representative today and learn what Real Property Management can do for you.
Online Games
My husband loves to play billiard when he was in school. Now, he is still playing it now and then with his friend after work but not as often as last time. Imagine how happy he was when he found out about this online multiplayer games in the internet. He told his friend about it as well and not he is playing with many friends there. The site looks nice, fast and easy to navigate. The most important is: It’s FREE and many people play there. You can join the worldwide players, invite your friends, and chat with them in the game. Or you can creat your group and play with your friends in your own room
Everyday Feels The Same
Lately I feel that everyday feels the same. I have a routine schedule that I do everyday. Don’t get me wrong, I do like routine. It likes an old shoes that you feels comfortable wearing it. The problem is if somebody asked me what did I do last Tuesday, then my mind will go blank. Beside the everyday routine things I don’t think I can recall anything special that had happened that day. Probably it is about time to go to meet up with my girlfriends, wearing sexy outfit and go to nightclub to spice up my life a bit. LOL!
Speaking of clubwear, if you need one, you should check this site. They offer new line of exotic wear and they are the first on the web to have them and you will get the lowest price on all of the outfits. Besides, all new customers will receive a 10% discount with the coupon code = newcustomer.
A New Communal Shopping and Social Network
For you all that like to shop online, there is a new communal shopping and social network called Zovue.com. Zovue was designed for online shoppers who want an interactive and fun shopping experience. The disadvantage of shopping online is that we can not discuss and share it with friends. Even when I was online with my friend while shopping online, they can not see at the same page. However, Zovue claimed that we can have “share desktop” experience. Zovue members can share their shopping pages with their friends for "communal shopping". The member that initiated the sharing experience can navigate Zovue and simultaneously the pages will change for all members in the group. Now that is exciting!
Furniture
Besides rustic furniture, I always like classic style wooden furniture, specially made of good wood like teak. Teak is a very high quality of wood and it has many great qualities like its rich, warm color and its superior durability. A bit more expensive, but this kind of furniture will last you a life time. I know this because all my parents’ furniture is made of teak.
The Latest on Children and Allergies
Doctors used to recommend waiting until age 1 or even much later to introduce solid foods that are common allergens, especially with kids at risk for allergies. But the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has changed its tune, because studies show that these delays probably don't help keep allergies from developing.
It's still a wise idea, though, to introduce new foods gradually, waiting several days after each new menu item to make sure your child doesn't react to it. And if you believe that your child is likely to have food allergies -- for example, if allergies run in your family -- check with his doctor to determine the best strategy for introducing allergenic foods like eggs, milk, peanuts, wheat, soy, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish.
The Advantage of Online Shopping
Since I work at home and became a mom, I have lesser time to go out shopping. I only go shopping for groceries at supermarkets once a week. Besides that, most of the time I do all of my shopping online for things like cosmetics, fashion, books, contact lens or things that I have used before and which I know what brands and the specifications, I find that it is more convenient to buy them online.
The great advantage of online shopping is that there is no salesman who always tries to convince you to make a purchase and to change your mind in making your choice. Another benefit is you choose the moment you want for shopping. Most of the time I do all of my online shopping during the night when all of my children are sleeping and I have done all my chores. While normal shops are closed, online shops are always open.
One of the things that I shop online is for contact lenses. All you do is sit at your computer and order the number of boxes you need. Recently, I found out that Woman's World magazine recommended the LensAlert in their "Products We Love" section. AC Lens offers all type of contact lens including disposable colored bifocal and soft, including Acuvue, Biomedics, Focus, Freshlook, Soflens, Purevision with reasonable prices. I will try them next time I need contact lenses.
Do Babies Need Discipline?
You bet. Not as in punishment, which babies don't understand, but using another definition of the word: "training that corrects, molds, or perfects," according to Merriam-Webster.
You may have noticed your baby increasingly "tests" what he can do and how things work. This is how older babies and toddlers learn about the world around them. It's your job to set some limits on that exploration to keep your baby within the bounds of what is acceptable and safe.
It helps, though, not to overdo it on the rules. One way to decrease the number of limits you'll need to set is to provide fewer opportunities for your baby to get into trouble. Babyproof (and later toddler-proof) your home so that it's a "yes" environment to play in rather than one full of no-nos. If you wind up saying "no" a lot, your baby may become desensitized to it and start to tune it out altogether.
Use simple language when you communicate a rule: "Hot." "Not safe." Let your tone of voice — firm, not frightening — help convey your message.
Whenever possible, make an effort to redirect his attention to something more acceptable. Be prepared for it to take many times for your baby to stop testing a particular limit. Babies learn through repetition and practice. Parents survive this phase through patience.
How To Look Younger This Summer
There is a new online magazine that I just found. It is Scrubs magazine. Although this online magazine is dedicated to all things nursing, I found the articles are applicable for moms like me. This summer edition they have article about “How to Look Younger”. I think every woman (or man) wants to look younger. Esspecially mom with 2 toddlers like me, who has to cleans, cooks and make sure everything is speck and clean besides taking care my two toddlers. It’s not helping that my husband works late most of the time. By the end of the day, I just want to drop my body in bed and sleep. Luckily I don’t have to go to office the next day (did I mention that I have a full time job, too?), because most of the time I have dark circles, puffy eyes and dull skin on my face.
Back to the “How to Look Younger” article I mentioned in above paragraph, I found the tips are easy to do and helpful. Tips like “never went to bed with make up on” and “moisturize your face” probably something that you have already known. However, I find tips like “use moisturizer that contains retinoids, a form of vitamin A” and “sleep on the back” very informative.
Beside “How to Look Younger” article, there are others informative articles that worth to read. So, I think you can head over there yourself and read.
